Bibliotherapy is the use of story-telling to help manage distress. Some examples of story-telling methods that have been used for bibliotherapy include short stories, novels, poetry, informational pamphlets, and podcasts. Bibliotherapy can also take many forms, including reading groups, one-on-one counselling sessions, and courses on literature. 

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People living with cancer have reported that bibliotherapy helped decrease their stress levels, relieve anxiety and depression, and improve their ability to cope . Bibliotherapy can be helpful for people having challenges coping with the uncertainty that often comes with a cancer diagnosis. Bibliotherapy can be useful for cancer survivors, people undergoing active cancer treatment, family members, and caregivers.

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Research shows that reading or listening to stories from specific genres generates unique benefits. Memoirs, or stories about other people's challenges, can help people affected by cancer better understand their health, create a sense of hope, and help them feel less alone . Self help, or stories about how to solve person problems, help people feel in control of their lives and gain perspective . Nonfiction, or factual content, can help decrease uncertainty about cancer and empower the reader with knowledge .

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It takes time and support to learn healthy coping skills. Bibliotherapy is one way that you can make it easier to handle challenging moments. 

 

For specific guidance on how to restore your emotional well-being, please reach out to your care team. 

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References

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1. Carlick, A., & Biley, F. C. (2004). Thoughts on the therapeutic use of narrative in the promotion of coping in cancer care. European Journal of Cancer Care, 13(4), 308–317. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2354.2004.00466.x

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2. Green, M. C. (2006). Narratives and cancer communication. Journal of Communication, 56(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2006.00288.x

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3. Malibiran, R., Tariman, J., & Amer, K. (2018). Bibliotherapy: Appraisal of evidence for patients diagnosed with cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 22(4), 377–380. https://doi.org/10.1188/18.cjon.377-380 

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4. Schneider, N.M., Peterson, M., Gathercoal, K.A., & Hamilton, E. (2013). The effect of bibliotherapy on anxiety in children with cancer. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development, 6, 337–345.

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